Power unit for plate glass handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multiunit apparatus is provided which is readily assembled and disassembled for easy movement from floor to floor within a building. The apparatus provides an acceptable floor load per unit area, while providing mechanical stability, when heavy loads are extended significant distances upwardly and away from the center of gravity of the assembled apparatus, creating severe torsional stresses. The assembled apparatus is extended longitudinally so as to have the load moving unit at one end, and the drive unit at the other end.

United States Patent 1 Outsen, Jr.

POWER UNIT FOR PLATE GLASS HANDLING APPARATUS Inventor: Arthur C. Outsen, Jr., 581 Darien Way, San Francisco, Calif.

Filed: Apr. 29, 1971 Appl. N0.: 138,745

U.S. Cl. 214/650 SG, 214/674 Int. Cl. B66c 1/02 Field of Search 214/650 SG, 650 R,

214/1 D, 1 SW, 1 CM, 674

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Traver 214/650 SG Johnson 214/653 June 12, 1973 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forllenza Assistant ExaminerGeorge F. Abraham Attorney-Townsend and Townsend [57] ABSTRACT A multiunit apparatus is provided which is readily assembled and disassembled for easy movement from floor to floor within a building. The apparatus provides an acceptable floor load per unit area, while providing mechanical stability, when heavy loads are extended significant distances upwardly and away from the center of gravity of the assembled apparatus, creating severe torsional stresses. The assembled apparatus is extended longitudinally so as to have the load moving unit at one end, and the drive unit at the other end.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures POWER UNIT FOR PLATE GLASS HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With the skin of a building being non-supporting, architects have been free to use large units of diverse materials for the outside cover of the building. In modern construction, large panels of glass, metal, concrete, marble or plastic, weighing many hundreds of pounds, are required to be set into frames, frequently with very small tolerances. The large bulk and weight of these panels makes handling extremely difficult, requiring cranes or the like to bear most of the load carrying bur den. The panels or plates are frequently raised on the outside by a large crane and then manipulated into position by guide lines or other means, the crane operator being frequently distant from the site at which the panel is being installed. Movement is slow, hazardous, and frequently requires relatively large coordinated teams for positioning the panel and securing it to its frame.

It is, therefore, desirable to have a mobile, relatively light unit which can be transported from floor to floor in a structure and will not exceed the load carrying limit of the floor. Since the easiest mode of transportation from floor to floor is the elevator, any single assembly must not exceed the weight carrying capacity of the elevator. Furthermore, it must be of sufficiently compact size so as to fit into the elevator.

It is also desirable that the unit be capable of handling panels of varying weights, when extended significant distances from the center of gravity of the unit without having to increase the ballast provided by the positioning unit when assembled. In addition, the unit should be relatively maneuverable, easily assembled and disassembled, and resolve limitations of the units employed in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART US Pat. No. 3,361,280, and patents cited therein disclose an apparatus for movement of large panels and positioning large panels, providing fine control of the movement of the panel in any direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus is provided having a drive and power unit extendably engaged in the longitudinal direction with a mobile mast unit. The mast unit is equipped for engagementof a panel holding and positioning device. The mast unit is capable of raising and lowering the holding and positioning device and tilting the device forwardly and rearwardly. The drive and power unit provides balance in the longitudinal direction for greatly enhanced stability with a minimum of weight. The assembled unit is compact, mobile, maneuverable, and readily disassembled, while providing excellent stability during transporting or positioning of bulky heavy panels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the assembled units.

FIG. 2. is a front view of the control panel box.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the drive unit and mast unit with Outriggers extended.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the mast unit and drive units with outriggers extended.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The subject invention provides a multiunit, mobile device which can be transported as single units in building elevators, such as in office buildings, and then safely and rapidly assembled for use. There are three basic units which can be individually moved from floor to floor in an elevator and then reassembled, the assembly providing a weight distribution below the permissible load level of the building floor. At the same time, because of the way the units are arranged, excellent stability is provided. Each unit has an individual function.

The first unit is a drive unit, which provides the power for moving the assembled unit and can also pro vide electrical power, where batteries are employed. In addition, it provides a pump for operating the hydrauli cally operated pistons for movement of various parts. The drive unit is positioned so as to act as a counterweight, being somewhat remote from the place about which the assembled apparatus would pivot during operation the forward wheels.

The second unit is the mast unit which provides a mast either fixedly or pivotally mounted on a mobile platform. The mast provides the motive means for rais ing and lowering the third unit, when the units are assembled. The mast provides for the grosser movements of the third unit in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The third unit has vacuum cups for holding a panel and mechanical devices for careful, positioning of the panel, being able to movethe panel in any direction, while maintaining the panel securely fixed to the vac uum cups.

The first and second units are fixedly engaged so as to allow variation of the distance between the units. By varying the distance, the amount of leverage achieved may be varied as required, at a fixed weight of the first unit. Therefore, depending on the size and positioning of the panel in relation to the position of the second unit, the separation between the first and secondunit would vary. In this manner, great stability is achieved while maintaining minimal weights of the units.

In accordance with the subject invention, a transporting and positioning unit for large heavy panels is provided which is readily disassembled into three parts, which individually are mobile and come within the load carrying limitations of elevators and floors normally encountered in modern buildings. Turning to a consideration of FIG. 1, the first unit is a power source and drive unit 10. The unit has a housing 12 for enclosing an electrically powered motor, not shown. The motor serves to power the drive wheel and power a pump to provide pressure for operation of the hydraulic systems. The various connections and conduits are not indicated. The motor and housing 12 are supported on a platform 14 mounted on a drive wheel 16 and forward fixed casters, 18. Small rear casters 19 are provided for stability.

The drive wheel 16 can be made of any convenient material, which provides the necessary friction with the surfaces encountered during building construction. It is found, that frequently because of the presence of fine powders on the floor, such as gypsum, the drive wheel should be studded or have other roughing or abrasive material present, which will permit the wheel to grip the floor surface and provide the necessary propulsion.

The wheels are relatively small, being from about 4 to 8 inches in diameter, and from about l to 3 inches wide. In this manner, the necessary maneuverability is achieved, with the desired traction. The housing 12 will normally extend from about 2.5 to 3 feet from the platform 14 and will be about 2.5 to 3 feet wide, to provide a compact unit with minimum interference with the operators view. Extending from the housing 12 and the platform 14 are a plurality of shelves, 20, 22, and 24, extending rearwardly, sidewardly, and forwardly respectively. Shelves and 22 as well as lower shelf 24 (not seen) serve to support batteries 26. While any convenient source of power may be employed, it is found that conventional l2-volt batteries are economical and efficient in being readily replaced, so that the apparatus suffers from a minimum of down time, when the batteries lose their charge. While a mobile power source could be used, the noise and inconvenience of trailing wires offsets any advantages that might be achieved. The upper shelf 24 can be used for supporting a tool box 25.

Rigidly affixed to the housing 12 is a shallow U frame member 28 with the flat bottom of the U being bolted to the front side of the housing 12 and the upright sides 30 of the U frame member extending forwardly. The bottom of the U frame 28 is fastened to a platform 32 which extends sidewardly beyond the housing 12 so as to provide a base 34 for a sleeve 36 on each side of the housing 12, which act as sleeves for the shafts 38.

(For the most part, the units have a line of symmetry along the longitudinal center line. The same equipment will be present on both sides of the unit. Therefore, the plural will be used, when referring to two identical objects symmetrically situated, although only one can be seen in the side elevation view of FIG. 1).

The shafts 38 have a plurality of functions, in acting as a connecting rod, which can be moved telescopically. Because the shaft will be subjected to significant tensions, it will normally be at least 1 inch in diameter, usually not exceeding 3 inches in diameter, and more usually from about l-Vz to 2-% inches in diameter. It is made of steel, so that it can withstand the forces to which it is subjected. The sleeve 36 will generally be from about 6 to 9 inches in length, be of sufficient diameter for the shaft 38, and will have a set screw 40 for locking the shaft 38 in a fixed position. The shaft 38 can, therefore, be moved adjustably in the sleeve 36, so as to vary the distance that the shaft 38 extends forwardly.

Mounted rearwardly on the housing 12 is a drive control housing 42 from which steering bar 44 extends. At the end of steering bar 44 is handle 46. By rotating handle 46 in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction,

the speed of the drive unit 10 is controlled. By moving steering bar 44 circularly, the drive unit 10 is steered in the desired direction. The operator, therefore, has a simple and convenient way to precisely control the rate and direction in which the unit 10 and any connected units move.

Mounted on the top 48 of the housing is a frame 50 having upright beams 52 and shoulder beams 54 from which the control panel 56 can be pendantly mounted. The control panel 56 has a plurality of switches 58 whose functions will be described subsequently.

A second independent mobile unit 60, referred to as the mast unit, is provided having an extendable upright mast 62 which is mounted by means of bolts 64 which are journaled in bushings 66 seated in angle irons 70 mounted on the top surface of the platform 68. The legs of the mast extend downwardly below the surface 68 to provide extension 69. On each side of the unit 60, mounted on the inside of the side plate 72 are hydraulic piston cylinders 74 having piston rods 75. Additional hydraulic piston cylinders 76 having piston rods 77 are mounted on the outside of the skirt 72 and pivotally connected on pins 78 and 80 by means of bearings 82 and 84 respectively. Movement of the piston rods 75 and 77 controls the movement of the mast 60 from the vertical position.

Mounted for up and down travel on the mast structure 62 is a transversely supported and vertically disposed plate 86. Between the legs of the mast 62 is a conventional hydraulic and chain lift mechanism, not shown, for effective the controlled lifting and lowering movements of the plate 86.

Mounted rearwardly of the mast unit 60 is a hydraulic reservoir unit 88 which is connected to the various hydraulic piston cylinders and to a pump which is mounted on drive unit 10 by conduits, which are not shown. On each side of the rear portion of the platform 68 are sleeves 90 for receiving shafts 28, which can be locked into position by set screws 92.

The two units 10 and 60 can be rigidly connected at varying distances by movements of the sleeves 36 and 90 in relation to the shafts 38, depending on the desired spacing between the two units.

Mounted on plate 86 and flange brackets 94 is a vacum cup unit 96 for holding and positioning large panels 98, such as glass, metal or other sheet material. The vacuum cup unit is extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,280, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

The unit 60 is mounted on four wheels, the rear wheels 100 being rigid casters and the front wheels 102 being swivel casters. The casters will normally be from about 4 to 8 inches, more usually about 6 inches, in diameter.

The platform 68 is conveniently about 8 inches from the floor, and the top of the mast 62 about 6 feet high, when the telescoping mast is completely recessed. Conveniently, the platform may be from about 3 V4 to 6 feet long and about 2 to 3 feet in width. if required, additional batteries may be carried on the platform surface 68.

in order to provide stability in the transverse direction, outrigger units can be provided, both on the drive unit 10 and the mast unit 60. The frame 50 has two upright legs 52 with a cross bar 104 connecting the legs for support. Hydraulic piston cylinders 106 having associated piston rods 108 are pivotally mounted on pins 103 journaled in brackets 105. The rods 108 are pivotally connected to the inner outrigger beams 1 10, which are pivotally connected at one end to brackets 112, by pins 113 and at the other end connected by hinge means 114 to the outer bar 116. Fastened to the outer bar is a channel bar having casters pending therefrom. The channel bar may be of light metal, e.g., aluminum; or heavy metal, e.g., iron or steel, depending on the weight requirements. In FIG. 3, the outriggers attached to the drive unit 10 are indicated by the broken lines in their retracted position 122.

Mast unit 60 has partial side walls 126 on each side of the platform. Extending through opening 128 are bydraulic piston cylinders 130 from which extend piston rods 132 which are pivotally connected to inner outrigger beams 134 at one end and to cross beam 135 at the other end. The outrigger mechanism is substantially that described for the outriggers fitted to the drive unit 10, having an outer beam 136 hingeably connected to the inner beam and terminating in a channel bar 138 upon which is mounted casters 140. The inner beam is mounted to the side wall 126 by pin 142 joumaled in brackets 144.

The outriggers on the drive unit and the mast unit may be the same or different, but are conveniently of the same dimensions. When fully extended, the full width of the unit will be from about 6 to 8 feet in width. The outriggers may vary from about 2 to 4 feet in length. I

In employing the subject invention, it is separated into three parts for transportation. A mobile carriage, not shown, is provided upon which the vacuum frame 96 is mounted, in such a position so as to be easily fastened to plate 86. The unit can have an convenient type of stand of sufficient rigidity to support the vacuum unit 96 and move it manually from place to place. The shafts 38 are disengaged from the sleeves 90 and extend some distance forwardly of the drive unit 10. The mast is maintained in its recessed position. The three units individually are readily accommodated by conventional elevators found in most building structures and can be easily transported from floor to floor individually. The three units are taken to the floor where the panels are to be set. The shafts 38 are engaged in the sleeves 90 and locked with the set screws 92. The drive unit 10 and mast unit 60 are held in relatively close proximity when the unit is being used for transporting panels. The vacuum unit 96 is then bolted to the plate 86, so as to be rigidly held to the mast carriag'e.

The assembled unit is then moved to the source of panels. For example, with glass panels, the glass is normally provided with its long side in the horizontal position. Frequently, the glass will be mounted in the structure so that the long side is in the vertical position. During transportation, it is convenient to maintain the long side in its horizontal position as taken from the glass crate.

The assembled unit is moved to the glass crate, the vacuum cups applied to the first panel of glass, and the glass panel raised from the floor by raising the carriage. Any necessary adjustments are made'for convenient carrying of the glass panel, and the assembled unit may now be moved to the site where the glass panel is to be mounted in the structural frame. Motion is maintained relatively slow, so as to avoid any hazard to the panel. The glass panel is then positioned in relative proximity to the wall in which the panel is to be mounted. Any adjustments which are desired in extending the distance between the drive unit 10 and the mast unit 60 are carried out by loosening the set screws 92 and moving the drive unit 10 rearwardly so as to extend the distance between the drive unit 10 and mast unit 60. The set screws 92 are then tightened so as to engage the two units. Usually, the distance between the drive unit 10 and mast unit 60 will be from about 1 to 2 feet.

By being able to extend the distance between the drive unit and the mast unit, weight stability with minimum weight is achieved in the longitudinal direction. That is, one significantly extends: the leverage of the drive unit, as against theleverage of the panel and vacuum unit, when the panel and vacuum unit are in their raised and extended position. In this manner, one is able to safely load the floor which supports the unit, while providing the necessary stability in the longitudinal direction. I

If desired, the outrigger units may now be extended or if required, could have been extended previously during the transporting of the panel. Depending on the dimensions and weight of the panel, the outrigger units may or may not be extended. Once the entire unit is set, the vacuum unit and panel may then be raised by means of the hydraulic and chain lift mechanism to a position indicated by the broken lines 146. The mast may be tilted by appropriate movement of the piston rods and 77, so as to provide the desired angle of the panel when approaching the frame. The various switches on the control panel 56 are set so as to indicate how the vacuum unit will move the panel. That is, a switch flipped to the right will have the panel move sideways to the right; a switch flipped up will have the panel move upwardly. By slow movements of the vacuum unit in the appropriate positions, the panel is moved up into the frame and held in the frame until secured, at which time the vacuum unit releases its hold on the panel and the vacuum unit is retracted, with the mast unit at its retracted position. The unit is now ready to either be used directly for retrieving a second panel or the drive unit 10 and mast unit 62, may be brought together in closer proximity, the outriggers retracted, and the unit then used to retrieve a new panel.

By virtue of the subject invention, mounting of panels, particularly of such a fragile material as glass, is greatly facilitated. Rather than requiring the panels to be raised from the outside, large: glass panels can be stored at the level at which they are to be used in a building, and not require hoisting individually from the outside, with great difficulty in positioning the panel in the frame. Since narrow tolerances are frequently involved, large crews are usually required, who can only work for relatively short periods of time, because of the great demands on their strength and the stress involved in the positioning of the panel. The subject invention by being mobile and transportable within a building, substitutes mechanical energy for the transporting and positioning of the large heavy panels. In addition, the various units may be relatively light weight, well below the safe loading factors of building floors. Because of the extendable nature of the units, greatly enhanced leverage is achieved in balancing the leverage of the extended vacuum unit carrying the panel. For panels of about 500 pounds, total weight of the unit need not exceed about 3,500 pounds, while for panels of a 1,000 pounds or more, the total weight of the unit need not exceed 4,500 pounds. The units are easily fabricated from, for the most part, conventional equipment, so as to be readily repairable and minimize down time of the equipment. Because of the rapidity in which panels can be set, once the structure and frames for the building are provided, the building can be rapidly enclosed to protect the workers from the weather.

In addition, much of the hazard introduced by winds when setting panels from the outside is avoided. Similarly, the labor involved is relatively minimal in that the load is almost completely carried by the unit from the storage crate to the positioning of the panel in the frame.

What is claimed is:

l. A mobile apparatus capable of being disassembled and transported by conventional elevators and then assembled in combination with a vacuum means for holding and positioning large heavy panels which comprises:

first and second independently mobile units;

said first unit having drive means for driving said first unit and connecting means for rigidly disengageably engaging said second unit to provide a counterweight force to the adjacent end of the second unit;

said second unit having at least three wheels to provide full mobility to said second unit independent of said first unit, said second unit further having means for engaging said connecting means and pivotally mounted mast means for raising and lowering a carriage, said carriage being capable of having said vacuum means mounted thereon; and means for controlling said drive means and means for controlling the movement of said mast means.

2. A mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises sleeves mounted on said first and second units, and

shafts extending from the sleeves of said first unit to the sleeves of said second unit and entering at least a portion of said sleeves, and means for fixedly holding said shafts in said sleeves.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, having retractable outriggers mounted on said first and second units, extendable in the transverse direction.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movements of said mast means is hydraulic piston means, and

mounted on said first unit is hydraulic pump means connected to said hydraulic piston means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, having batteries mounted on said first unit to provide electrical power for said drive means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the movement of said mast means, comprises oppositely disposed hydraulic piston means, forward and rearward of said mast means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movements of said mast means is motor means. 

1. A mobile apparatus capable of being disassembled and transported by conventional elevators and then assembled in combination with a vacuum means for holding and positioning large heavy panels which comprises: first and second independently mobile units; said first unit having drive means for driving said first unit and connecting means for rigidly disengageably engaging said second unit to provide a counterweight force to the adjacent end of the second unit; said second unit having at least three wheels to provide full mobility to said second unit independent of said first unit, said second unit further having means for engaging said connecting means and pivotally mounted mast means for raising and lowering a carriage, said carriage being capable of having said vacuum means mounted thereon; and means for controlling said drive means and means for controlling the movement of said mast means.
 2. A mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises sleeves mounted on said first and second units, and shafts extending from the sleeves of said first unit to the sleeves of said second unit and entering at least a portion of said sleeves, and means for fixedly holding said shafts in said sleeves.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, having retractable outriggers mounted on said first and second units, extendable in the transverse direction.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movements of said mast means is hydraulic piston means, and mounted on said first unit is hydraulic pump means connected to said hydraulic piston means.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, having batteries mounted on said first unit to provide electrical power for said drive means.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the movement of said mast means, comprises oppositely disposed hydraulic piston means, forward and rearward of said mast means.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the movements of said mast means is motor means. 